Romania has ordered 12 Airbus H225M multirole helicopters under the European Union’s SAFE initiative, beginning the replacement of its locally produced IAR-330 Puma fleet and expanding the country’s long-term military helicopter sustainment requirements.
The contract was signed with France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) through the European Commission’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme. The initiative provides financial support for major defence investments intended to close capability gaps and strengthen the European defence industrial base.
For Romania, the acquisition represents more than a new helicopter capability. Introducing the H225M will require new maintenance procedures, technician training, tooling, spare-parts support, and technical infrastructure as the Romanian Air Force transitions from the Puma to a modern multirole platform.
“We are honoured that Romania has chosen the H225M to strengthen its defence capabilities. This selection will also bolster Romania’s industrial capabilities through our long-term partnership with IAR, Romania’s sole helicopter manufacturer,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “We are proud to welcome Romania within the growing H225M community, establishing the H225M as a key asset of Europe’s defence.”
H225M transition creates new sustainment requirements
The Romanian Air Force currently operates the IAR-330 Puma, a locally produced version of the Puma developed under Aerospatiale licence. The 12 H225Ms will begin the replacement of the Puma fleet for conventional and special operations.
The transition will require Romania to establish the technical and maintenance infrastructure needed to support the H225M throughout its service life. This includes aircraft inspections, component maintenance, engine support, avionics servicing, technical records, spare-parts management and maintenance personnel qualification.
Romania has also previously ordered two H215Ms in naval configuration, providing the country with additional experience in supporting Airbus military helicopter platforms.
Airbus has maintained an industrial presence in Romania for more than two decades. Its Airbus Helicopters customer centre provides support and services for Romanian Airbus fleets as well as export customers, creating an existing local foundation that could support the H225M programme.
The company also maintains other industrial activities in the country, with Airbus Defence and Space providing secure communications and systems engineering services and Airbus Commercial Aircraft manufacturing strategic aircraft components.
The H225M programme therefore provides an opportunity to expand Romania’s existing helicopter support ecosystem rather than establishing an entirely new industrial structure.
Growing H225M fleet strengthens global support network
The Romanian order also adds another operator to the H225M user community. More than 350 H225 and H225M helicopters are currently in service worldwide, with the fleet having accumulated more than one million flight hours.
The H225M customer base includes Brazil, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Singapore and Thailand.
For Romania, participation in this wider fleet can provide access to an established global support network, including common technical knowledge, component supply and maintenance experience accumulated across multiple operators.
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The H225M order is also the second Airbus Helicopters contract secured by Romania under the SAFE initiative. The country recently ordered seven H160 and five H145 helicopters for public-service missions.
As the H225M fleet enters service, the Romanian Air Force will need to manage the transition from its established Puma maintenance ecosystem while building capability around the new helicopter’s propulsion, avionics, mission systems and components. The programme consequently represents a significant long-term addition to Romania’s military aviation MRO and sustainment requirements.
